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Wladimir Klitschko has broken his silence following the death of his former fiancée, Hayden Panettiere, paying tribute to the actress and making a heartfelt promise to their daughter, Kaya.
Panettiere, best known for Heroes and Nashville, died aged 36 on Sunday. Her cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Klitschko, the former boxing champion, shared an emotional statement on Instagram alongside a photograph of himself, Panettiere, and their daughter, 11-year-old Kaya.
He wrote: “Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief.”
“The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.”
The 50-year-old went on to reflect on Panettiere's career and the difficulties she experienced away from the spotlight.
“She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry,” he said. “Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.”
Klitschko also made a touching vow to ensure Kaya remembers her mother.
“To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was,” he wrote.
He offered his condolences to Panettiere's loved ones and fans, adding: “Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon.”
The former boxer also asked for privacy while his family comes to terms with the loss.
“I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say,” he wrote.
He concluded: “Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.”
“Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace. #WeLoveYouHayden.”
Klitschko had primary custody of Kaya following Panettiere's struggles with addiction and alcoholism, with their daughter spending much of her time living with her father in Europe.
Panettiere and Klitschko first met in 2008 and began dating the following year. Their relationship continued on and off for several years before they became engaged and welcomed Kaya in December 2014, before separating in 2018.
Panettiere later spoke openly about the painful decision for Klitschko to take full custody of their daughter.
Earlier this year, she also addressed claims that she had simply “given away” her daughter while appearing on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast.
“That couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Panettiere said, explaining that she was battling alcoholism and substance abuse and required treatment.
She recalled the pain of being separated from Kaya, saying: “The fact that my child wasn’t going to be with me all day, every day was ... you can’t put words to it.”
Panettiere also worried about how her daughter might eventually interpret the revelations in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.
“I don’t want her ever to read it and think any of it was her fault,” she said at an event in May. “I love her so dearly.”
She added: “I’ll continue protecting her, especially while she’s young.”
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to investigate Panettiere's death.
Authorities responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, at around 1:50PM on August 16.
Dispatch audio reportedly referenced both an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest”, although an official cause and manner of death have not yet been established.
